Daily Update On Current Affairs – September 28, 2017

INS Tarasa, a Water Jet Fast Attack Craft intended for extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrolling, was commissioned into the Indian Navy. Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Girish Luthra has commissioned the vessel. The vessel has been built in Kolkata. It is the fourth and last of the Water Jet FACs built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata. The first two, INS Tarmugli and INS Tihayu were commissioned in 2016 and are based in Vishakhapatnam. The third, INS Tillanchang, was commissioned in March 2017 and is based in Karwar. INS Tarasa is 50 metres long, powered by three waterjets which give it a speed of over 35 knots (65 kmph), and is armed with a 30mm main gun and many lights, medium and heavy machine guns. It is commanded by Lt Commander Praveen Kumar.

Maharashtra Govt Signs MoU with South Korea

The Maharashtra government has signed a MoU with South Korea for increased co-operation in infrastructure projects like development of smart cities, roads, airports and metros on the first day of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ visit to that country. This MoU is to help with implementation strategy, legal systems, policies, technologies and information in infrastructure development. Fadnavis embarked on a three-day tour to South Korea and Singapore. Shri Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao is the present governor of Maharashtra.

CISF Security at Mumbai Airport Rated Best in World

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) in Mumbai has been recognised as the best service in this domain by a global quality rating agency. The latest initiative of doing away with the tagging and stamping of hand baggage, handling increasing passenger footfalls smoothly, and feeling of being safe and secure by passengers, etc, were taken into account while deciding the award. The CISF has been providing security coverage to the CSIA, the second busiest and hypersensitive airport in India, since August 21, 2002. In July, a WQC survey adjudged CISF security cover at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport as best. O.P. Singh is the Director General of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

WEF’s Global Competitiveness Rankings: India Ranks 40th

India remains the most competitive country in South Asia, appearing at No. 40 in the global competitiveness ranking of 137 countries by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The ranking is one lower than last year. According to WEF, India’s score is its highest ever according to the current methodology, which ranked Switzerland as the world’s most competitive economy. India ranks 3rd among BRICS nations. The world’s top three competitive economies are- 1. Switzerland, 2. The United States of America, 3. Singapore. China (27th) and Russia (38th) outshine India among the BRICS group of large emerging markets.

Angola Swears in its First New President After 38 Years

Angola swore in Joao Lourenco as the country’s President, making him the first new President of the country in 38 years. This comes after the previous president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, announced his retirement and chose Lourenco as his successor. Lourenco, who had served as Angola’s Defence Minister earlier, vowed to attract more foreign investment. The People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) has governed since Angola’s hard-fought independence from Portugal in 1975, with Dos Santos taking power in 1979. Angolan kwanza is the Currency of Angolia. Luanda is the capital city of Angolia.

IDBI Bank Launches ‘Project Nishchay’ for Turnaround

IDBI Bank has launched ‘Project Nishchay’ in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to accelerate its turnaround program and improve financial performance. The project will be led by senior management at IDBI Bank along with BCG. BCG will assist the bank to identify areas for cost containment and revenue maximization leading to sustainable growth and profitability of the Bank. Managing Director and CEO of IDBI Bank is Mahesh Kumar Jain. IDBI Bank Headquarters is in Mumbai.

RIL World’s 3rd Largest Energy Firm: Platts Rankings

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is the world’s third-biggest energy company behind Russian gas firm Gazprom and German utility E.ON, according to Platts Top 250 Global Energy Company Rankings. State-owned Indian Oil Corp (IOC) climbed to 7th position in the 2017 ranking, up from 14th rank in 2016. Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) was placed at 11th position in 2017 as against 20th in 2016. Coal India Ltd, the world’s largest coal producer, was the only Indian firm to have slipped in the ranking – 45 in 2017. Russia’s Gazprom snagged the number 1 spot, ending US oil and gas giant ExxonMobil’s 12-year reign at the top of the list.

27 September: World Tourism Day

27th September is observed as the World Tourism Day. Observance of the day aims to foster awareness amongst the international community about the importance of tourism and its social, economic, political and cultural values for countries. The theme for this year’s World Tourism Day is “sustainable tourism-a tool for development”.